Alright, I've been shamed into posting a journal entry today.

Happy New Year everyone!

The wedding was on October 15th...it was a beautiful day. We spent the day before decorating for the reception. Bob and I, along with a few kind friends, carved leaf designs into 37 pumpkins. They were really quite effective as table centerpieces with the candlelights in them. The wedding was beautiful & I didn't spend the whole occasion crying for which I am verrrry thankful.  I came close when Sara was coming down the aisle and I watched Dan's face. He was really fighting to hold back the tears through his smiles. I almost cried at that point...I am thrilled he has found a love that can make him do that. Sara is a wonderful girl and I know she loves him too.    The wedding party came into the reception to the Ohio State Fight Song - they had been watching the game in the limo on the way. I guess that was all in the plan since they scheduled the wedding on a game day. It was fun. If I figure out how to add a picture I'll do it later.

The holidays were good. I had to undergo a "spirit of Christmas check" about mid-December. I am grateful for all the good God brings to our lives, but especially for the gift of the Saviour, Jesus Christ. The true spirit of Christmas is a spirit of worship.  

We enjoyed time with the kids and some of their friends. Bob and I had an entire week off work between Christmas and New Years and that was nice. We got some painting done, watched alot of movies and basically just hung out at the house. We hardly ever do that! 

We're looking forward to attending several weddings and possibly a family reunion and missions trip in 2006.

Hopefully I won't wait 3 months to do this again. We'll see, won't we?

Drove up here to Chicago on Saturday. Chick-Fil-A for lunch . . . great customer service . . . it was raining hard so the manager met people at their cars with an umbrella and there was Aveeno lotion in the restroom...I was impressed. Lots of traffic in Chicago . . . McCormack Place (the largest convention center in the country) . . . huge . . . love the city skyline and the apartment/condos along Lake Shore Drive . . . would love to check them out with a realtor just so I can see them and check out the view. 

Lincoln Park . . . Fornelli's Restaraunt . . . Pollo Limone was good (light lemon flavor) . . . Lake Michigan beautiful . . . hundreds of sailboats . . . skaters . . . runners . . . walkers . . . sunbathers . . . dogs . . . kids . . . what a geat place to be on a pretty summer day. Gentle breeze in the evening and enjoyed sitting out in the courtyard of the apartment til nearly midnight discussing wedding plans and other stuff. Friendly neighbors stopping at the fence so their dogs can greet Dan and Sara's dog. Cubs game Sunday . . .crowds . . . summer fun!

Return to J'town Sunday eve . . . Good time.